In the era of accelerated urbanization, the relationship between the city and nature is becoming increasingly complex, as seen in the Portuguese coastal city of Cascais. Intensive urbanization, touristification, and climate change have led the city to face significant challenges, particularly flood risk and insufficient connectivity of urban spaces. The Ribeira das Vinhas stream was historically channeled beneath the urban fabric through an undersized pipeline, causing flooding during heavy rainfall, while sea level rise poses an additional threat. At the same time, many open areas have been replaced with parking lots and impermeable pavements, reducing green space, worsening microclimatic conditions, and lowering residents’ quality of life.
The project addresses these challenges through the design of a green axis as a comprehensive tool of sustainable urbanism, reconnecting the city’s natural and cultural elements, reducing its vulnerability to climate change, and establishing a foundation for nature-based revitalization.
The concept is based on multifunctional retention areas, reopening the stream channel, introducing sustainable mobility systems, and improving pedestrian and cycling connections. Special emphasis is placed on implementing blue-green infrastructure, which simultaneously reduces flood risk, enhances ecosystem services, and creates high-quality public spaces. The project also includes the renovation of an abandoned theater with new community-oriented programs, reinforcing the link between public buildings and open space.
Through this integrated approach, the project offers a vision of sustainable spatial development that interweaves environmental, social, and cultural dimensions while strengthening the city’s resilience.
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